Lucy Powell tells Labour it can't sugarcoat how badly things are going

"We must be more authentic, telling a stronger story about the purpose of the Labour government and whose side we're on, she said. I'm proud of Labour's achievements, but we need to acknowledge that mistakes have been made. We can't sugarcoat the fact that things aren't going well. We have ceded the political megaphone to our opponents instead of setting the agenda ourselves. I want to help Labour wrest it back."

"Powell told the rally that would require changes to the way we operate, a hint at the strategy run by No 10 to suspend or isolate critical voices. When we rely on a narrower and narrower set of voices, groupthink sets in, and that's when mistakes and wrong turns happen. I want to change this. Unity of purpose comes, not from command and control, but by taking people with us and winning the argument, she said."

Ballots open Wednesday for members and affiliates in a deputy leadership contest between Lucy Powell and Bridget Phillipson. LabourList polling by Survation shows Powell with 57% support, Phillipson with 26%, and about 20% undecided. Phillipson holds major union endorsements including Unison and GMB and is widely viewed as Downing Street's preferred candidate. Powell, removed from the shadow cabinet in the last reshuffle, appeals to members seeking a progressive turn. Powell promises to be a full-time deputy focused on campaigning, greater authenticity, acknowledging mistakes, broadening internal voices, and reclaiming the party's political megaphone amid losses on both flanks.

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